my 02 has dropped 3 grand sense april....

 

i just looked at what my bad boy is worth with 250000 miles it says its worth 3760 mint so take a grand off for the body and still 2760? i paid 600 3 years ago

 

Good points, and I think people will always associate a small/mid-size truck with good fuel economy. Even if we all know the 5vz isn't that fuel efficient, but it's not horrible especially on the highway. And they will run forever if you take care of them!

No I don't trust the gas gauge very much, I know they aren't very accurate. But I had to laugh when the needle was sitting at half a tank with so few miles driven. The needle hasn't moved much since then, for some reason it drops down fast to half tank, and then it drops very slowly until the end of the tank.

 

A vehicle is only worth what someone is willing to pay and for what you are willing to sell. KBB tends to overprice vehicles, in my experience.

The other factor to consider is that we're just getting used to $4/gal gas. Once people get used to it, the dumping of SUVs will reduce and the market will stabilize. So I think we're seeing a short term drop in value due to the glut of SUVs plus the shock of $4 gas.

I'm not saying we'll see any appreciation of value, but given that the newest 3rd Gen is six years old, and will soon be two models behind, we can't expect much from the used car market. I prefer to think that the value of owning my 4Runner is that it's reliable and that I'm not spending money on something else. I don't base value on what other people think it's worth.

MadCityRich
2002 Ltd.
SS 7.2, Tundra brakes

 

I disagree with this. $4 per gallon is $4 per gallon. Families that used to be able to afford $200/month gas expense will not be able to sustain a $600/month expense, especially with food and energy prices all going up. Bigger families will make due with a mini van, and others will opt for a more gas-efficient AWD cars, if needed, or just a good old Toyota Corolla/Honda Civic.

Sure, there will still be people looking for capable SUV's, but those people will not affect the market that much. If you look at who's driving SUV's, 95% of them will never take them off-road. 5% will not matter when the other 95% dumps or stops buying SUV's. I think the era of big SUV's are over, until an alternative fuel source is implemented (and I don't mean flex fuel, either. ). Which I don't think it will be anywhere in the near future, as it will take a BUNCH of batteries to move them things.

 

And who says this $4/gal is the max price and for how long will this price be stable;gas prices could go to $5 or even $6/gal just as quick as the $4/gal showed up.

This is new expense territory for most americans and one that will be changing the vehicle landscape for probably ever;we will become a nation of smaller cars and less trucks and oversize SUVs.

The truck SUV market will never be the same.

 

i'll sleep in my 4runner if i have to, put rent/mortgage money in the tank instead i will call my band of petrol misfits "the modern gypsies" and we will start a new civilization, on planet "Plaktor", the migration begins soon, reserve your place in the history books NOW!!!!

alright, i need to lay off the sci-fi. but seriously, thinking of parting with my 4runner over fuel costs brings to mind a quote from Charlton Heston "...from my cold, dead hands.".

 

The price up here in Canada is $1.39/L (about $5.40/Gal.) People will just get used to high prices, and adjust there budget and travel as required. I just purchased a home which is 1/4 the drive to work. Yearly gas bill will go from $2500/year to around $1000 I figure. How can I not drive my 15 mpg 4Runner!!

 

Welcome to the fallout of high gas prices and economic woes. Check out what the value of big gas guzzlers have fallen to. Saw a F-250 badlander that was going for 50k in 07 Dealers are trying to give it away for 25k. this was in Clearwater FL. St Louis MO some dealers have completely stopped taking trades of any fullsize vehicles. My G35 lost $$ at 20 cty 26 hwy. only cars holding values are cracker box 4 bangers. IMHO don't worry drive your yota till it stops, 275k on mine Bums me I had to spend $5.00 to repair starter the other day. Haha Yotas keep going going going